Comments on: Duffy: Marching against the military ban

By: fencerider

fencerider — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:36:20 +0000

someone please correct me if i am wrong but i seem to remember a note on this site a few months ago that someone in the House had started legislation to end DADT but i don’t know how to confirm that help anyone? And as a retired Navy man I remember the fear of being found out everytime i had any kind of relationship or just relaxed and forgot to keep up the public “face”. i can not imagine the stress of doing that and facing live combat at the same time. I salute those men and women who are seving today.

By: Bud Evans

Bud Evans — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:02:41 +0000

My spouse and I (together for 34 years; legally married for nearly 5 years) are keenly aware of the tremendous contributions which Gays and Lesbians have made to this country’s military.

Gay and Straight soldiers, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, lie together, without prejudice, in Arlington National Cemetery.

How is that for “unit cohesion”?

My partner was in the Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. I find it contemptible and dishonorable that anyone (military or non-military) could ever question his worth, or the worth of any person, Gay or Straight, Black or White, Male or Female, as human beings and insult their competence solely based on blind, unreasoning prejudices.

Shame on all bigots. They are cowards who fed like parasites on the ignorance and fears of others.

http://rainfish2000.blogspot.com

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:25:07 +0000

The March on Washington should focus on Obama’s broken promises. Like repealing DADT and DOMA. As long as DOMA is in place it makes it harder to do anything at the state level. If Prop 8 fight goes to the Supreme court, their argument to reject will use DOMA as the basis.

By: Davea

Davea — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:14:38 +0000

Im currently active duty and i will be marching at pride this coming sunday In WeHo CA… how do i get involved with LT choi??

By: Ed Gould

Ed Gould — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:26:52 +0000

Just a couple of reasons I can think of. The military has treated us like garbage for a LONG time. Not that many gay people feel strongly enough that they should fight for something they are not interested in.

As for marching for marriage I think this has a wider appeal but I hear too many gay people say they would not do it even if they had the option.
In other words there is, in my opinion, not a consensus on either of these.

I am guessing here but I would think that non discrimination and other important things are on gay peoples agenda. I am not saying that DADT and Gay marriage is not important it is that there are a lot more people have different ideas on these subjects.

By: Michael W

Michael W — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:19:59 +0000

@Aiden – oh yes, tradition is something we should stand on….slavery was tradional too…so should we stand by that.

The whole problem with this article and other blogs is that we don’t have to focus on just one issue. We shouldn’t just be marching for any singular issue – we should be marching and demaning our CIVIL RIGHTS, our equality on all fronts.

By: EQUALITY

EQUALITY — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:31:06 +0000

Calum, there has been gay marriage in history? I know you can’t hear my tone of voice, so please know I am not being sarcastic. I was unaware, but I’m extremely intrigued. I knew some of the Native American tribes had it. But was it in American history? I’m even curious as to it’s history worldwide 100 years back and further. Anyone else who knows, please chime in.

By: Jessi

Jessi — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:45:36 +0000

Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual service members joined the armed services for a reason, and I highly doubt that reason was that they expected to enter a warm and welcoming environment in which they could serve alongside others whom they could be at ease around without the worry of being themselves. Asking those who joined the armed forces willingly, fully aware of the expected behavior, to come out and willingly be dishonorably discharged is idiotic.

Should DADT be repealed? Yes, it is an antique that isn’t worth keeping, but the idea that even a small amount of service men and women would come out and willingly lose their positions for a method of repealing it with no guarantee is unrealistic. The armed forces seem ready if not willing to take on the change, there simply needs to be some sort of motivation of congress to start the process, but I don’t believe that would be an effective course of action.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:04:36 +0000

It is essential that LGBT people be permitted to make a full contribution of service in the Armed Forces, not because it is a right (It is not.), but because it is a responsibility of citizenship. I suspect that many in the religious and social conservative right want to deny LGBT that responsibility because it makes it so much easier for them to back up their lie that we do not deserve equal rights. The United States must join its allies in Canada and United Kingdom and remove the laws that make it essential for LGBT servicewomen and men to lie about who they are.

By: Corey

Corey — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:35:15 +0000

I refuse to give respect to any organization or offer my support as long as they continue to discriminate based on sexual orientation. As soon as don’t ask don’t tell is lifted and openly gay individuals are allowed into the ranks I will NOT support our troops nor will I take pride in being an “american”. Come to think of it, nobody should take pride in being from any country because we all live on the same planetary body and due to human ignorance have allowed ourselves to be divided.